Common Sense Media Review
By Mandie Caroll
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dog grooming competition is fun, pun-filled comfort-viewing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Haute Dog
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In each roughly 28-minute episode of HAUTE DOG, three contestant groomers compete in two challenges on a theme (Hollywood, wild west, royalty, etc.). In the first challenge contestants are given the same breed of dog to groom. The winning groomer of this challenge earns five extra minutes of time in the next round. The groomers bring a dog they know to groom for the second round. Dogs are paraded in front of judges dog-show style, and one lucky dog is then awarded "Best in Show" and their groomer wins $10,000. Host Matt Rogers moves the competition along, and judges Rona and Thede offer critiques and commentary.
Is It Any Good?
While Emmy-winning TV this is not, this series has several things going for it that make it a worthwhile pick, especially for dog-lovers. The set for Haute Dog has a wonderfully nostalgic late-'70s/early-'80s design covered in framed portraits of dogs and golden canine statues. The judges dress to each episode's theme, with outfits as interesting as the set. The dog puns and jokes are endless and sometimes quite laugh-worthy. Host Matt Rogers and judges Rona and Thede have great chemistry. Dogs get glamour shots made all the more dramatic and humorous with a wind machine. Perhaps the most surprising and lovely aspect of this series is the respect it shows for the contestants who are incredibly passionate about what they do -- their artistry is showcased without condescension or mocking. Plus, there are so many adorable dogs. The puns can wear thin and comedian Robin Thede's contributions don't seem all that helpful, but on the whole, this series is binge-worthy fun for the whole family.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the humor used in Haute Dog. How would you describe the humor? Is it silly? Full of puns? Laugh-out-loud funny? How did the show's humor impact your experience while watching it?
How does this show compare to other reality TV competition shows you've watched? What are some similarities and differences?
What were you surprised by? What questions might you ask the host, judges, or contestants about dogs, dog grooming, or being on a show like this?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 24, 2020
- Cast : Matt Rogers , Robin Thede , Jess Rona
- Network : Max
- Genre : Reality TV
- Topics : Animals
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate